Report: Roberto Firmino is the one Liverpool summer signing Brendan Rodgers did not push to sign

Roberto Firmino is the one Liverpool signing Brendan Rodgers had to be talking into bringing aboard, according to a report in The Telegraph.

The Reds signed seven players this summer, with Firmino the odd one out in that the other six were personally pushed by Rodgers.

Firmino was the second most expensive of the group, signed from Hoffenheim for a price of £29 million, as reported The BBC, eclipsed only by Christian Benteke.

The Telegraph's report states: "Of the seven summer recruits, Firmino is the one the manager was convinced to sign on the basis of exemplary scouting reports rather than because he had pleaded himself – a contrast to the likes of Christian Benteke, for example."

Firmino is yet to start for the Reds, but could be in line to get the nod in Monday night's Premier League clash with Arsenal.

And now the Brazilian is in his ranks, Rodgers appears happy to have him as an option.

He told The Guardian: "I’ve been impressed with his quality and his touch, which is natural. But it is his ability to work and press the game that were key things for us when we brought him in."

Fans will have to hope that Firmino continues to ingratiate himself into Rodgers' good books, for the manager to allow him to freedom to express his creative side as much as they push his efforts to adjust to work on the defensive side of his game.

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
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